Final Fantasy XIV begins final stages as rebirth begins.

A long time ago, I wrote an article that asked the simple question about the future of Final Fantasy XIV. Issues in gameplay, complete changeover of the staff, and having to go free to play all ended up spelling disaster for the MMO while the first MMO that Square Enix pushed out, Final Fantasy XI, continues to have loyal players even ten years after its release. Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy XIV as we know it is about to come to an end. Two weeks from now, the game will be relaunched into the Alpha testing phase as Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. Applications are being accepted for players to test out the new version of the title, but the question still remains as to whether or not the new version of the MMO will be improved enough to regain any form of momentum that the game once had in its earliest days.

Square Enix announced today the scheduled grand finale for FINAL FANTASY XIV, as the Seventh Umbral Era descends on Eorzea.

This event signifies the conclusion of FINAL FANTASY XIV’s current story and the beginning of A Realm Reborn. Character data from the current version will be saved for the last time on October 31, 2012, followed by all Worlds coming down at midnight, November 11, 2012 (Pacific Standard Time). Saved character data will be transferred to A Realm Reborn.

Also starting today, Square Enix has begun the first of four alpha testing phases for FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn to test the fundamental mechanics of the revamped title. Each phase will consist of multiple cycles of “test and tweak.” Players with an active FINAL FANTASY XIV account are invited to apply to become a tester. Full details on the application are available at http://entry.ffxiv.com/alpha/index_na.html.